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Monday, December 18, 2017

Tree Loft 108 - 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath

Nestled among the trees in a truly unique Four Seasons community, Tree Loft 108 offers comfort as your home away from home. This octagon-shaped home rental at the Lake of the Ozarks features three levels. The main living level is home to the master bedroom, bath, living room, kitchen and dining room. Downstairs you will find a second bedroom complete with a queen bed, plus a full bath. Upstairs is a loft with a queen bed and a half bath.

Tree Loft Community

Amenities of this community include a year-round indoor pool, complete with sauna & hot tub, 2 outdoor pools (one next to the indoor one and one overlooking the lake), a tennis court and a basketball court. The best part is that the indoor pool is only a few hundred feet away from this home! You get condominium amenities with the privacy of your own home when you choose to stay at Tree Loft 108.

You couldn't ask for a better location, as this community is close to shopping, attractions, and fine dining, including Ruthie D's & Li'l Rizzo's. It's also a great location for golfers, with the Season's Ridge golf course just minutes away!

What People Are Saying About Tree Loft 108

"Great price and location! Enjoyed my time here. Nice size, especially for the price. 10 to 15 minutes from Shady and Camden on the Lake." - July 2017

"Quiet comfortable property. Quiet setting tucked away off Horseshoe Bend. Unusual octagon shaped units but still with plenty of space. Comfortably furnished. We felt right at home. Very relaxing. Only downside is the "workout" to & from the pool. :-). Very hilly terrain. Lots of steps to get to the sports court, pool, lake - all on different levels. Still would stay here again for the setting." - July 2017

Each year, on December 25th, people across the country celebrate Christmas. One of the main traditions associated with this holiday is gift giving, and that means shopping during the holiday season increases. In today's blog, Your Lake Vacation thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the facts and statistics surrounding holiday shopping. Where do you fit into these numbers this year?

Holiday Shopping Stats

1. For the 2017 holiday season, 73.5% of shoppers plan to spend about the same amount of money on Christmas as they did last year. In addition, 14.6% plan to spend more than last year.

2. In 2016, consumers spent a total of $655.8 billion on holiday spending (sales in November & December). Holiday sales for 2017 are expected to increase by between 3.6-4% over 2016 sales.

3. Compared to 2016, this year's e-commerce sales during the holiday season are expected to increase by 16.6%. E-commerce's share of total retail sales this season is estimated at 11.5%.

4. In 2017, roughly 72.1% of consumers plan to look for gifts on Amazon. Amazon's share of e-commerce sales this year is estimated to reach 34% compared to 30% last year.

5. According to a consumer survey, approximately 41% of people completed all, or the majority of, their holiday shopping online in 2016. That number is sure to increase with the 2017 season.

6. When choosing where to shop, consumers plan to spread their holiday shopping out across a variety of options. Of those options, 59% of consumers choose to shop online, 57% choose departments stores and 25% choose local, small businesses.

7. When it comes to holiday shopping, 48% of consumers said free shipping and shipping promotions are key factors in purchasing from a retailer.

8. According to a survey from NRF, consumers plan to spend a total of $967 this holiday season. Of that total, $608 is spent on gifts for family, friends and coworkers, $218 on other holiday purchases like candy, food and decorations, and $141 on other non-gift purchases for themselves and their families.

9. The top factors that determine where people will do their holiday shopping this year include sales and price discounts, followed by quality and selection of merchandise, and then free shipping. According to 73% of consumers, sales and price discounts are most important when determining whether or not to shop at a particular retailer.

10. As of early November, 56% of consumers had already started their holiday shopping this year. However, only 12% were more than halfway done by then.

11. When it comes to giving back during the holiday season, 73% of consumers plan on engaging in a charitable activity this year. Over 7 in 10 consumers plan to either donate items or financially contribute to a charity or cause, while 2 in 10 plan to do so by purchasing from retailers that support a cause.

12. During the holiday season, 80% of people plan to spend time with family and friends.

13. The holiday tradition of gift giving will be celebrated by roughly 63% of people.

14. When it comes to holiday cooking, 50% of people plan to make a special meal or festive treats this season.

15. Only 45% of consumers plan to decorate their home or yard this year for the holidays.

16. In 2016, Barbie topped the toy wish list for girls, while Legos topped the list for boys.

17. For the 2017 holiday season, 6 in 10 holiday shoppers plan to purchase clothing and accessories and gift cards.

18. Those consumers purchasing gift cards this season plan to buy an average of 4 gift cards, worth roughly $45 each. Total gift card spending this holiday season is expected to reach $27.6 billion.

19. In 2017, more than 174 million Americans shopped in stores and online during the 5-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The most popular day for in-store shopping, of course, was Black Friday, followed by Small Business Saturday.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Fortunately, at the Lake of the Ozarks, it is bright and sunny every single day of the summer. Your guests enjoy boating, swimming and water skiing all day long and rarely spend any time inside your rental home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. Right? I know that our guests wish that were true, but if you have lived here as long as I have, you know that it does rain, and even seems like it rains almost every summer holiday, at least part of the time.

So how can you make your Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental property more attractive in case it does rain during your guest’s stay? While some of our larger properties have added a pool table, foosball table or game table, many of our properties don’t have the room (or budget) for something that big. So what can you do for your guests on those rainy days?

Inexpensive Additions

1. Add a DVD collection. - Visit a pawn shop and you can find most titles for $1.00 to $2.00 each. For less than $50.00, you can provide some great movies for your guests to enjoy.

2. Collect some board games. - Remember those? Same thing, you can pick up old board games at yard sales, thrift stores, Craig’s List, etc. Have some dominos, cards and dice on hand as well.

3. Create a library! - You can pick up used books at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. and build a nice little library for your guests.

Have a little more money to spend?

4. Add a game system - and pick up some used games to provide a variety of games for young and old alike. Again you can pick up used games at pawn shops, garage sales and from online community garage sales.

5. Install an electronic dart board. - This is a good game to add that doesn’t take a whole lot of room, and with electronic darts, you will avoid the holes in the wall (that I remember from my youth).

Really want to impress your guests?

6. Add an arcade game to your vacation rental home at the Lake of the Ozarks (this might not work in a condo situation). One of the last homes we rented on vacation featured a real pinball machine that we must have played at least 50-100 times during our stay! You can purchase a used game or you can even rent the games for a few months, switch games out, etc. Another game that takes up a little less room, since you can put along a wall, is a shuffle board game.

These are just a few ideas, most of them fairly inexpensive, that you can add to your vacation rental property that will allow your guests to enjoy one of those rainy days at the Lake, or wherever your rental property may be.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Are you tired of the same old Christmas traditions? Do you want to get away for the weekend? Consider a Lake of the Ozarks vacation with us. While many people only think about traveling to the lake during the summer, the holiday season is a magical time at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Keep reading to learn all about the local events happening throughout the holidays - and places to stay at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Christmas Events

Lake Holiday Light Parks
The Lake of the Ozarks is home to 4 different drive-thru holiday light parks. Each one has their own set of unique holiday light displays that the entire family will enjoy. While donations are gladly accepted, all these holiday light parks are free! The Enchanted Village of Lights at the Laurie Fairgrounds is open nightly from 5-9 pm, and 10 pm on weekends, now through January 1st. St. Patrick's Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick in Laurie, MO is open nightly from 6-10 pm, now through January 1st. The Versailles Unity Circle of Lights at the Versailles City Park is open nightly from dusk until midnight, now through January 1st. The Osage Beach Holiday Lights at Osage Beach City Park is open nightly, now through December 31st.

Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook
Every weekend from now through Christmas Eve, the Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook will be open. Head on over to The Ice at Old Kinderhook for horse drawn carriage rides, gingerbread house decorating, tree lighting and trimming gatherings, Santa & Mrs. Clause, Elf storytelling, S'mores around the fire pit, Spa features, fun games for the family, great food and great company, and Ice Skating with a special guest.

Deck the Docks Holiday Light Cruises
The 7th Annual Deck the Docks Festival of Lights Cruises to benefit Dogwood Animal Shelter are underway! Cruises are happening each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through December 30th. Tour the lake featuring sparkly docks and lakefront homes decorated for the holidays. Tickets are just $25 each. Reserve your spot today by calling 573-480-3212.

Christmas Dinners

Christmas Dinner at J. Bruner's
Enjoy your family without the fuss and mess! Let J. Bruner's prepare you a special holiday dinner with great steaks and seafood. The restaurant will open at 5pm on Christmas Eve and 3 pm on Christmas Day. Reservations are recommended. Call 573-348-2966.

Christmas Dinner at HK's Restaurant
HK's Restaurant at The Lodge of Four Seasons will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3-9 pm. Call 573-365-3000 for reservations.Christmas Day Buffet at Tan-Tar-A
Head over to the Black Bear Lodge Restaurant at Tan-Tar-A Resort for their famous Christmas buffet! The restaurant will be open from 11 am to 4 pm. Reservations are required. Please call 573-348-8619.

Places to Stay

Woodcrest 109-2D
If you're looking for a romantic couples getaway this Christmas season, check out our one bedroom condo at Woodcrest! Recently updated with new floors throughout, new appliances, new light fixtures and new bedding, you will love this condo! It is located off Horseshoe Bend, near golf, restaurants, shopping and more!

Runabout Drive
Enjoy the comforts of home this holiday season when you stay at Runabout Drive! This 3 bedroom waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks features a kitchen with everything you would need, great views of the lake from the living room, a screened in deck and more! Located in Osage Beach, this home is close to shopping, dining, golf and all the holiday happenings.

Harbor Towne West Unit 105
The beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath waterfront condo at Harbor Towne West is the perfect place for your holiday at the Lake. Features include screened in deck with a lovely view of the lake, a kitchen with everything you would need for your family and a dining room with plenty of seating. Located just a short distance from town, this Lake of the Ozarks condo is close to dining and shopping!

Newport 111
Newport Condominiums offers the perfect location, right off the Bagnell Dam Strip! Check out this 4 bedroom, 4 bath ground floor unit. Features include a fireplace, plenty of seating, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a large family room downstairs with wet bar and full refrigerator. Bring the whole family and then some. We have multiple units in this complex!

Book your stay with Your Lake Vacation today! Call 877-284-0267 to reserve one of these beautiful homes or condos, or visit our website and browse our other options for vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks. We offer a wide variety of accommodation options to fit everyone's needs. We hope to see you this holiday season at the Lake of the Ozarks! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Nestled in the trees at the end of the road, Wye Knot is a quaint cabin-style 3 bedroom, 2 bath waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks. The home features plenty of parking in front of the home for 4 cars plus a boat trailer. Located off Horseshoe Bend, this home offers privacy, while also being just a short drive to the Bagnell Dam Strip, where you can enjoy shopping, dining and more!

The main level of this home features a lakeside, open concept kitchen with everything you would need, including a dining room with seating for 10 and a separate sitting area. This level also homes the master bedroom, featuring a king bed, flat screen TV, DVD player and access to the bathroom.

The lower level of the home features the larger family room, with room to pop up the double high Queen air mattress, flat screen TV, DVD player, games, books and deck access. From the family room, enjoy the screened in deck with 2 comfortable conversation couches, 2 adirondack chairs and outdoor ceiling fan. Also on this level, you will find 2 bedrooms each with a queen bed, both with flat screen TVs and DVD players, the guest bath and full sized laundry area.

The newly painted large deck runs the length of the home and includes a beautiful 6-top table, lounge chair and gas grill. The view encompasses the firepit below, the shoreline of the lake, swimming from the dock, as well as the boat dock itself (located at the end of the cove) with the swim platform. If the included 10 x 24 slip isn't big enough for you, there is plenty of room to tie your boat to the side of the dock. There is also a paddle boat and fishing gear for guests to use during their stay.

You will not be disappointed in this home! It's beautifully decorated and ready for your small group or large family. Head into town for shopping and dining or enjoy the lake with boating, skiing or fishing! Book your reservations in this home today by calling 877-284-0267 or visiting our website.

Thank You to Our Guests

One of the reasons we LOVE doing the Bob Schoor Telethon is because it gives us a chance to thank you, our guests, in some small way. We are truly grateful that you choose to stay with us year after year, and we can't wait to show you our appreciation through this event. To say thank you, we're giving you the opportunity to win a variety of great prizes.

Telethon Details

On the evenings of December 4th and 5th, you will have the opportunity to WIN BIG! When you call to book your 2018 reservations with us on one of these 2 nights from 6-9 pm, you will be entered into a drawing for some great prizes. Any reservations already made for 2018 will automatically be entered into the drawings. We will be giving away over $2,000 in total prizes value! Prizes include:

Your Lake Vacation is your premier Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company! We have a variety of different properties to accommodate your vacation needs. From one bedroom condos up to 5+ bedroom homes, we've got something for everyone. Book your reservations by giving us a call at 877-284-0267 - and Good Luck at WINNING BIG!

Friday, November 17, 2017

Are you considering purchasing a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks? Investing in a second home has a lot of great benefits, from always having a place to stay to extra income. Today's blog discusses some of those benefits of owning a Lake home.

1. There's Always a Place for You to Stay.
One of the challenges of vacationing is finding a place to stay. When you own a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you always have a place to stay when you want to come for a visit. While we have a great selection of Lake of the Ozarks vacation rentals that you could choose from, there's something special about not only coming back to the same place each year, but also knowing it's yours. You can use it anytime you want - allowing you to come visit the beautiful lake area even more often. You'll create a home away from home where family memories can be made!

2. Less Packing for Your Trip.

When you come to the Lake of the Ozarks, there's a lot of extra "stuff" you typically bring with you. You need beach towels, water toys, paper products, toilet paper, condiments, etc. If you own a home at the Lake, you can leave a lot of those items in the home, which cuts back on the amount of stuff you need to pack and bring with you. Keep all your lake gear at the lake instead of dragging it back and forth all the time.

3. Extra Side Income.

If you choose to rent out your Lake home to other vacationers when you're not using it, you can make some side cash to offset the cost of owning a second home. While you don't want to depend on this income to pay your mortgage, you can consider that rental income when crunching the numbers to determine if purchasing a home at the Lake is a good financial investment for you. Depending on how many times you visit the Lake area each year and how much you pay for accommodations, you could actually save money in the long run by investing in real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks.

4. Tax Deductions.

Just like with your primary residence, owning a second home comes with some tax benefits as well. Depending on the number of nights that you used your home for personal use, you might be able to deduct "operating expenses" for your vacation home. You will need to talk to a tax professional to learn all the details, but it's another possible benefit of owning an investment property.

5. Get a Jump Start on Retirement.

If you eventually plan to retire at the Lake of the Ozarks, why not start now? You can start with more regular vacations and create community ties that will help you with a smooth transition down the road. You can consider it a trial run to determine if it's really where you want to retire. It gives you time to build friendships and other relationships, get involved in community activities and more.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Take a break from preparing a large Thanksgiving feast for the family this year and head to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Our lake is the perfect place to visit over the holidays. Often times we get wrapped up in hosting others that we don't take the much needed break the holidays are meant to provide. If you're looking for a great getaway this season, consider staying in one of our Lake of the Ozarks condos or private homes for Thanksgiving. Keep reading to learn about some of the properties we currently have available for Thanksgiving weekend, as well as where you can grab a delicious Thanksgiving meal or hit up some Black Friday shopping!

Places to Stay

Gray Haven
This is a 5 bedroom 4 bath ranch style home located off Highway KK in Osage Beach! Since it sleeps up to 18 people, it's the perfect place for your large family to stay this holiday season. The kitchen features an island that seats 4, a flat top range, microwave, dishwasher and side by side refrigerator with water and ice in the door. Everything you need to prepare a holiday meal is here, or better yet, take the family out and there's no clean up!

Towers 9106
This beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath unit is located at the exclusive Towers at Parkview Bay! Enjoy the view from the 9th floor of this luxury condominium. This condo includes 3 master bedrooms, an open kitchen with all your appliances and plenty of seating indoor and out.

Imperial Point 761
This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath waterfront home would be perfect for your family or group this holiday season! Featuring two stories of windows overlooking a great main channel view, this home sleeps 10 people and offers everything you need for a wonderful holiday getaway.

Bridge Pointe Condo
This beautiful two bedroom, two bath condo is located on the main channel at the 19 mile marker and by land just off Highway 54 in the heart of Osage Beach. The condo is conveniently located near all the attractions, golf, shopping and award winning fine dining.

New floors throughout, new appliances, new light fixtures, new bedding - you will this one bedroom condo at Woodcrest. It's perfect for a romantic holiday getaway for two! Enjoy a great main channel view from the deck, and the best part is that you're close to the Bagnell Dam Strip featuring both great shopping and dining.

Places to Eat

Thanksgiving at J. Bruner's
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, featuring a traditional turkey dinner or our famous steak and seafood menu, at J. Bruner's restaurant. The restaurant opens at 3 pm on Thursday, November 23. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 573-348-2966.

Thanksgiving Buffet at Tan-Tar-A
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with all the trimmings, without stepping foot in the kitchen! Tan-Tar-A's fabulous Thanksgiving buffet features Sage Roasted Turkey, Carved Ham with Bourbon Pecan Praline Glaze, Sherried Beef with Bouquetiere of Vegetables, Seared Salmon with Shrimp and Prosciutto Pesto Creme and much more! Reservations are required. The buffet will be open from 11 am to 5 pm on Thursday, November 23. Call 573-3448-8619.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Old Kinderhook
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at The Trophy Room at Old Kinderhook. Dinner will be served from 11 am to 4 pm on Thursday, November 23. Reservations are required. Please call 573-317-3560.Thanksgiving Brunch at The Lodge of Four Seasons
The Lodge of Four Seasons will hold their annual Thanksgiving Brunch in the HK's dining room on Thursday, November 23 from 11 am to 2 pm. Call 573-365-3000 for reservations.

Thanksgiving Feast at Inn at Grand Glaize
Join family, friends and new acquaintances at the Inn at Grand Glaize for a traditional Thanksgiving feast of Roast Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham and all the sides and pies. The feast will be served from 11 am to 3 pm on Thursday, November 23. Reservations are recommended. Call 573-348-4731.

Thanksgiving Dinner at H. Toad's Bar & Grill
Head over to H. Toad's on Thanksgiving Day from 11 am to 5 pm for their featured three-course menu, where guests can choose from delectable starters, entrees and desserts for just $35. Reservations are suggested. Please call 573-365-5620 for more details.

Places to Shop

Osage Beach Outlet Mall
If Black Friday Shopping is your thing, there's no better place to go than the 110 store outlet mall in Osage Beach! Each store will have their own special deals, featuring deep discounts on your favorite products such as American Eagle, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Carters, Levi's and Eddie Bauer. Be sure to get there early because the lines get pretty crazy for this event!

Black Friday Must-Stops
Unless you're a newbie, you know that all the big stores like Target, Walmart, Menards and Kohls have great prices on Black Friday! Osage Beach is home to all of these stores, so you'll be able to bounce around and hit them all. From clothing and bedding to toys, electronics and more, you can get a great jump start on your Christmas shopping during this annual event. Be sure to look at the Black Friday ads prior to Thanksgiving to map out your route and swing into the stores with the stuff you want most first. Things go quickly on Black Friday!

The Bedrooms

On the upper level, you will find the master bedroom with features a California king bed with memory foam topper, walk-in closet with lots of shelves to unpack and feel right at home, a flat screen TV, a large walk-out balcony with amazing views of the lake and a private bathroom complete with a large jetted tub.

The second bedroom features a queen bed with memory foam topper, flat screen TV and a great view of the Lake. The third bedroom features a twin over full bunk bed, and a loft with a queen mattress, great for the kids. There's also a flat screen TV and DVD player in this room, as well as a nice lake view.

The Living Areas

Down stairs you will find the living room with an L-shaped sectional sofa sleeper, with memory foam mattress, as well as a large 50" flat screen TV. Enjoy your time here with provided movies, books, board games and the bean bag toss!

In the dining room, you will find a 6-top table with 1 extra chair and 3 bar stools at the breakfast bar. The extra large kitchen is loaded with all your cooking needs. There is also a full bath off of the kitchen, complete with a shower.

The Outdoors

Walk out on the large deck to enjoy the beautiful views of the Lake of the Ozarks. Just a few steps down, and you'll be on the dock with 2 boat slips featuring V-bottom lifts and 3 jet ski slips, as well as a picnic table, slide and and diving board off the swim platform. Also for your enjoyment, you'll find floats, skis and two kayaks to explore the cove or paddle over to a great restaurant and bar in the cove.

This spectacular vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks is located at the 4 mile marker of the main channel, and is very close to the Bagnell Dam Strip by land. Shopping and dining are not far. Play, fish, shop or just relax - you're sure to enjoy your stay here!

Friday, October 27, 2017

With the holidays just around the corner, the amount of road trips taking place is going up! People will be hitting the roads to visit family and friends across the country. Whether you're joining us for a vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks or traveling states away, Your Lake Vacation has a few road trip tips and fun facts to help you prepare.

1. Start with a Full Tank of Gas.

One of the most important aspects of a road trip is making sure you're always good on gas. Depending on the time of day and location that you are driving in, sometimes you won't find a gas station for hundreds of miles. If you're driving at night, fill up at any open gas station, even if your tank hasn't gotten that low yet. You never know when the next 24-hour gas station will show up.

2. Make a Few Pit Stops.

In addition to bringing some snacks for the ride, be sure to make a few stops to refuel your body along the way. With more than 7,000 Dunkin Donuts stores, 14,000 McDonald's chains and nearly 26,000 Subway restaurants in the United States, it should be easy to find your favorite fast food stops along your route. Not only is it important to grab a bite to eat every once in awhile, but you should also stop to stretch.

3. Take It Slow.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to get to your destination. Driving too fast can hurt your fuel economy and increase your road trip expenses. Avoiding aggressive driving can actually improve your gas mileage by up to 33%. Minimize driving in the fast lane, changing lanes and merging a lot, and drastically changing your speed as much as possible.

4. Play Some Road Trip Games.

A great way to pass the time on long road trips is to play some road trip games. The most popular games played on a road trip, aside from those on your smart phone, are I spy, the license plate game and 20 questions. If you have young children, be sure to bring along plenty of toys to keep them occupied, and a portable DVD player or tablet is also a great option to keep them from getting bored and restless.

5. Visit Family and Friends.

While many road trips are memorable adventures to new, exciting destinations, a large number of trips are to visit loved ones that live far away. Each year, 50% of road trips are taken to visit family and friends. These road trips are most common during the holidays, when 93.3 million people hit the road to see family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

The Lake of the Ozarks is a central meeting place, perfect for gathering with friends and family over the holidays. To book your reservations in one of our condos or private homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 877-284-0267. We have a variety of accommodations to fit everyone's needs.

Friday, October 20, 2017

October is already coming to a close and it's time to put on your costumes and celebrate Halloween. Whether you have little ones or not, celebrating this holiday can be fun for all ages. Take your kids out trick-or-treating or have an adult only night out with drinks and costume contests. Keep reading to learn about all the fun Halloween events happening at Lake of the Ozarks next weekend. Book your Lake of the Ozarks accommodations with us and get ready for some Halloween fun!

Pumpkin Patch & Fall Attractions - October 28-29

Off Hwy 54 West of Camdenton sits MECCA Family Farm, where you will find a pumpkin patch and other fall attractions. Family activities include corn crib, corn cannon, big slide, face painting & photo ops, petting zoo, hay rides and a maize walk. The pumpkin patch will be open from 10 am - 5 pm.

Zombie Wasteland Haunted House - October 26-28

Survive a zombie wasteland with your family with lots of foam darts and a nerf gun of your choice! This is the scariest haunted house in mid-MO. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The haunted house is located at 474 S. Hwy 7 in Camdenton next to the airport. Tickets are $10 per person and proceeds will go to benefit Kids Harbor Child Advocacy Center. Zombie Wasteland opens at 7 pm.

Hy-Vee Holler Trick-or-Treat - October 26

Head over to the Hy-Vee parking lot for the annual Hy-Vee Hollow Trick-or-Treat event! This year it will be a food allergy friendly event. Each booth will have candy, as well as non-food treats! If your child has food allergies, they will be provided a teal bag or necklace at the entrance. Admission is $2 per child, and the proceeds will benefit two local organizations, The Dream Factory and Camp Wonderland. Refreshments will also be provided for the kids. The event runs from 4-7 pm and don't forget your costumes!

The Haunted Holler - October 27-28

The Haunted Holler is a quarter mile haunted trail in the woods. Admission is $10 per person on Friday and $15 per person on Saturday. It will be open from 8 pm to Midnight each night. The trail is located one mile behind Hy-Vee in Osage Beach. The trail is recommended for children ages 6 and older; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Howl-O-Ween Festival - October 28

The 7th Annual Howl-O-Ween Festival will be at Dogwood Animal Shelter from 10 am to 2 pm. The event is free to attend, and is always a fun event for both two-legged and four-legged family members! Meet Captain Scalawag, Sparkie da Clown and DJ Gary Phillips. There will be a pet costume contest and other fun competitions, a raffle, grilled lunches available for purchase, local artists, crafters on site, a mini Dogwood Thrift Shop and so much more!

Halloween on the Bagnell Dam Strip - October 28

Celebrate Halloween on the Bagnell Dam Strip from 8 am to 9 pm. Starting at 8 am there will be a 3K Haunted Fun Run. Then enjoy a pancake breakfast from 9-11 am. Trick-or-Treating will run from 2-4 pm. Be sure to stop by Luby's Plaza for games of skill and a cookie walk. At 4 pm, theere will be a costume contest and pie eating contest at Luby's stage. Teens can enjoy a scary movie, bonfire and dance party from 5-8 pm. After 9 pm is when the adult fun begins with costume contests, bands and entertainment at participating establishments.

Kid's Halloween Spooktacular at Captain Ron's - October 29

Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Captain Ron's to grab some loot! Several local businesses will be handing out goodies from 5 - 6:30 pm.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Insurance is one of those things that we hate to pay for, but are glad that we have it when we need it! If you are going to rent your home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks to the vacationing public, you definitely want to make sure that you have your property properly insured. Keep reading to learn more about rental property insurance and loss of income coverage.

Rental Property Insurance

One of the first things that I tell new vacation rental owners at the Lake of the Ozarks that are joining our program is to let their insurance agent know that they will be renting out their property to vacationers. If there is a claim situation, that is not the time to let your insurance agent know that you have been renting out your property. You don't want any surprises or coverage denials when it comes times to make a claim.

Some insurance companies offer rental property insurance and some don't. Therefore, it's very important to check with your current company and not just assume that you will be covered if something happens. Also, different companies will have different limits on their policies. You may need to shop around to ensure that you can get the coverage you need. Some agencies won't go above $500,000 in coverage, while others will go up to $2 million.

Loss of Income Coverage

In addition to letting your agent know that you are renting out your property, you will want to ensure that you are now covered for loss of income. While some homeowner policies would cover you in a rental situation, they may not provide for loss of income. We had this happen to one of our owners this past year when the unit above had a water leak. It took three months for all the repairs to be completed and he lost income in May, June and most of July. He was able to collect insurance money for that loss of income because he had the property policy.

When discussing your rental property with your agent, ask if there are any policy exclusions and exactly what is covered and what is not. Again, you don't want to find out that you are not covered when you need it most.

Finding an Insurance Agent

If you go with an out of town insurer, make sure they know your market. For instance, they may assume property values are similar, when in reality they could be quite different. Also, if your property is a condo, you may only be responsible for the interior and your association would be responsible for the exterior. In this case, you may only need coverage on what you are responsible for replacing, any upgrades (and contents) and not the entire value (sale price) of your condo.

If you are thinking of renting your vacation property at the Lake of the Ozarks and have questions about insurance, ask an expert! Two great local agents we deal with are Chris Wagner of Farmer's Insurance, who can be reached at 573-302-0001 and Nathan Reid of American Family Insurance, who can be reached at 573-348-5451. Either one of them would be glad to speak with you about your Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental insurance needs.